Things You'll Need:
- Oil Based Metal Priming Paint and Paint Thinner
- Any detergent based soap
- Hose and a medium bristle scrub brush
- Pole sander and a nylon scrubbing pad (optional)
- Acrylic latex exterior house paint
- Paint brushes and rollers or an airless sprayer
- Ladder
- Rags, drop cloths and other general clean-up supplies
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Step 1
Clean the siding well. It's easiest and fastest with a pole sander. Attach a nylon scrubbing pad to the sander and it scrubs well and lets you reach without straining. You can use a scrub brush on a pole or a ladder and a scrubber or big sponge. Be sure that all of the siding is reached and cleaned well.
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Step 2
Rinse very thoroughly. Don't worry if some color comes off with the cleaning. Just keep rinsing until there the water runs off with no soap or color. The siding will need to dry thoroughly. Wait three or four days before going on to the next step.
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Step 3
Thin your oil based metal priming paint (ask for this at any paint store) with paint thinner. Use one quart of thinner for every gallon of paint. If your paint is a medium to deep color, you can have the primer tinted a little lighter than the paint color for better coverage. Although the primer is a little more time and money to use, it will greatly extend the life of the paint as well as give you a much smoother finish and better coverage. Paint just as you would any house finish--with a brush or a power or, for the best results, an airless sprayer.
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Step 4
Put the finish coat on within 48 hours of the primer. Painting on a still, overcast day is ideal. Don't paint on windy days or in direct sunlight. Your new finish should last for years.
